September 3, 1734

Joseph Wright (September 3 1734 to August 29, 1797), an English painter, documented in his canvases a new and democratic interest in scientific progress. The natural sciences in the 18th century were an arena for the  gentlemen scientist. There was in fact no professional scientists then as we perceive that type today. And in the famous canvas "An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump", we observe a group of people watching a demonstration. And it is a fascinating study of how people have changed little in the past 200 years. 

Joespeh Wright is also, the painter of animal painters. He did the portrait of Charles Henry Schwanfelder (1774–1837), here:



Charles Henry Schwanfelder was famous for his animal portraits as well as other topics. He occupied the post of official animal painter for both George III and George IV. Schwanfelder first painted clock faces for his father's business. He exhibited later at the Royal Academy. And he painted a canvas I can find no image of. The title though, is preserved, and is descriptive enough: "Mrs. Dealtry's Cat."